Stackable arm chair

ABSTRACT

An arm chair has a frame adapted to be stacked with one or more similarly configured frames. The frame comprises a pair of front legs, a pair of back legs, and a seat frame connected to the front legs and the back legs. A back rest extends upwardly from the back legs, and a pair of arm rests extend from the back rest to the front legs. A pair of opposed openings are defined by the seat frame and the arm rests, through which the back legs of a second frame are received when a second frame is stacked upon a first frame. The frame includes mounting members integral with one or more of the front legs, back legs and arm rest which are adapted to receive an insert that substantially closes the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stackable arm chair and, more particularly to a stackable arm chair and frame therefore having an improved appearance.

Chairs are typically shipped from the manufacture or distributor to the retailer and/or consumer packaged in cardboard boxes, or the like, in order to protect the chairs. If the chairs are stackable, with one or more chairs able to nest in another chair of the same type, economies in shipping and storage can be realized.

Stackable side chairs (i.e., chairs without arm rests) are well known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,591, 5,524,963 and 5,383,712. However, stackable chairs with arm rests (i.e. “arm chairs”) are less common. The stackable arm chairs that are known or available have open spaces between the arms, back and seat of the chair through which the rear legs of a second chair are placed when stacked. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,803,540 and 5,044,691. Alternatively, the arm may not be connected to the back of the chair to create the space for the rear legs to nest when the chairs are stacked. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,419. Many find the appearance of these chairs to be aesthetically deficient, in that the chairs appear insubstantial (i.e., flimsy) and uncomfortable.

Accordingly, it is object of the present invention to provide an arm chair that is stackable for economical shipment and storage and yet is more aesthetically pleasing then known stackable arm chairs.

Another object of the present invention to provide a stackable arm chair which, such that when assembled, there is no open space between the back, seat and arms of the chair through which the rear legs of a second chair would be received if two or more such chairs were stacked.

These objects, as well as others which will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, are provided by an arm chair which has a frame adapted to be stacked with one or more similar frames. The frame comprises a pair of front legs, a pair of back legs, and a seat frame or seat support connected to the front legs and the back legs. A back rest extends upwardly from the back legs, and a pair of arm rests extend from the back rest to the front legs. A pair of opposed openings are defined by the seat frame and the arm rests, through which the back legs of a second frame are received when a second frame is stacked upon a first frame. The frame includes mounting members integral with one or more of the front legs, back legs and arm rest which are adapted to receive an insert that substantially closes the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arm chair according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of the arm chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of two frames for arm chairs according to the present invention in which the frames are stacked for shipping or storage.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a stackable frame for an arm chair according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the stackable frame of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the stackable frame of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the stackable frame of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the drawings, there is seen an arm chair, generally designated 10, having a frame 12 that is adapted to be stacked with one or more additional frames of like construction (as shown in FIG. 3). The frame 12 includes a pair of front legs 14 and a pair of back legs 16, between which a seat frame or support 18 is secured. The seat frame 18 has a front stretcher 20 that extends between the two front legs 14 and a rear stretcher 22 that extends between the back legs 16. Between the front and rear stretchers 20, 22 are attached a pair of crosspieces 24, to which webbing 26 is attached for supporting a separate seat cushion (described in greater detail below).

Formed integrally from the same tubing as each of the front legs 14 and extending upwardly therefrom is an arm post or arm support 28. Similarly, formed integrally from the same tubing as each of the back legs 16 and extending upwardly therefrom is a stile 30, with the tops of the stiles 30 being joined by a head piece 32 to form the framework for the back of the chair frame. A series of slats 34 (five shown) extend between the stiles 30 to complete seat back 36. Arms or arm rests 38 extend between each arm support 28 and stile 30, to complete the basic frame work for the frame.

The frame is preferably made of aluminum, with the front legs 14/arms supports 28, arms 38, rear legs 16/stiles 30/head piece 32, stretchers 20, 22, and crosspieces 24 being made of tubing, while the slats 34 are made of bar stock. The various components are joined together by welding. While in the illustrated chair square tubing is used for the principal structural elements of the frame, tubing of other shapes (having a, e.g., round, oval, hexagonal, etc. cross-sectional shape) may be used. The webbing 26 is preferably made of an elastomeric material, the ends of which are wrapped around the crosspieces 24 and secured thereto by e.g., screws (not shown).

In keeping with the invention, the frame is adapted to receive panels or inserts 40 which are secured thereto between the arm rests 38 and front and back legs 14, 16 to close the opening through which the rear legs 16 of a second chair are received when nested on a first chair. The inserts 40, when attached to the frame after shipment of the chair, cause the arm chair to have the appearance of a more substantial and solid chair of higher quality than the generally-known and available stackable arm chairs.

As illustrated, the inserts 40 comprise a woven material 42, such as wicker, that is secured to a subframe 44. The subframe 44 is, in turn, secured to the frame for the arm chair. To this end, the front and rear legs 14, 16 include brackets 46 that receive screws or other fasteners for securing the inserts 40 to the frame. The top end of each subframe 44 includes spaced-apart pegs 48 that are adapted to be received in holes 50 (best seen in FIG. 7) located on the underside of the arm rests. The pegs 48 help to locate the insert or panel 40 with respect to the frame and, in conjunction with the screws and brackets 46, maintain the insert 40 in position. Thus, the frames 12 can be shipped stacked, and the inserts 40 easily attached thereto after unpacking the stacked frames.

The chair frame 12 is also adapted to receive a support seat cushion 52 and back cushion 54 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are joined together at the back of the seat cushion and the bottom of the back cushion. The back cushion 54 includes a pocket 56 which fits over the back rest 36 of the frame 12 to secure the back cushion on the frame. The seat cushion 52 has a flap 58 at its lower front edge that is sufficiently long to be wrapped around a stretcher or brace 60 and secured back on itself by, e.g., hook and loop fasteners. Optionally, a further insert or panel 62 of like construction to panels 40 may be provided that is secured to the chair between the back legs 16. Each of these elements, combined with the panels 40, provide an arm chair having a solid and substantial appearance, in contrast to the generally available stackable arm chairs.

Thus, a stackable arm chair and frame therefore has been provided that meets all the objects of the present invention. While the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, there is no intent to limit it to the same. Instead, the invention is defined by the scope of the following claims. 

1. A stackable frame for an arm chair, the frame comprising: a pair of front legs; a pair of back legs; a seat support connected to the front legs and back legs; a backrest extending upwardly from the back legs; a pair of armrests extending from the backrest to the front legs; the frame having a pair of openings defined by the seat support and the arm rests, so as to allow at least one corresponding frame to be stacked thereon, the back legs of the corresponding frame passing through the openings; and the frame including mounting members integral with one or more of the front legs, back legs and arm rests, the mounting members adapted to receive an insert to substantially close each opening.
 2. The frame of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises metal tubes.
 3. The frame of claim 1 further comprising a brace extending between the front legs beneath the seat support.
 4. The frame of claim 3 further comprising a seat cushion with a front flap adapted to be secured to the frame over the brace between the front legs.
 5. The frame of claim 1 further comprising a back cushion, the back cushion including a pocket to fit over the backrest.
 6. An arm chair having a frame adapted to be stacked with one or more corresponding frames, the arm chair comprising: a pair of front legs; a pair of back legs; a seat support connected to the front legs and back legs; a backrest extending upwardly from the back legs; a pair of arm rests extending from the backrest to the front legs; a pair of openings defined by the seat support and the arm rests so as to allow the frame of at least one corresponding chair to be stacked thereon, the back legs of the corresponding frame passing through the opening; mounting members integral with one or more of the front legs, back legs and arm rests; and an insert for substantially closing each opening, the inserts being secured to the frame through the mounting members.
 7. The frame of claim 6 wherein the frame comprises metal tubes.
 8. The frame of claim 6 further comprising a brace extending between the front legs beneath the seat support.
 9. The frame of claim 8 further comprising a seat cushion with a front flap adapted to be secured to the frame over the brace between the front legs.
 10. The frame of claim 6 further comprising a back cushion, the back cushion including a pocket to fit over the backrest. 